3.4. Screening for CSSV in cocoa seedlings
PCR/capillary electrophoresis detected CSSV viral products
among T2 and T4 seedlings. All seedlings were maintained in
insect-proof glasshouses. Except seedlings that tested CSSV positive,
no additional seedlings tested positive for the viral particles at
least 1 year following germination.
Only those multiplex PCRs which proved positive for the cocoa
microsatellite internal controlwere scored for presence/absence of
viral DNA. Absence of the microsatellite PCR product was taken to
indicate a failed PCR though this occurred only infrequently (Fig. 1).